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Now, he is working closely with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling as England look to make an impression in Russia.

He is, in fact, no stranger to working with big names. Indeed, during his part-time modelling career he accompanied pop megastar Christina Aguilera on to the stage at MTV Video Music Awards in Edinburgh back in 2003. Wearing just a kilt, of course.

He never reached such giddy heights during his playing days, however.

Russell was in Rangers' youth set-up until 1997 but began his senior career at Hamilton before moving on to St Mirren before spells at Macclesfield, Mansfield and Forest Green south of the border.

Russell (right) describes himself as the 'world's No 1 individual striker coach' on his website

He enjoyed a modest scoring record and returned to Scottish football with Partick Thistle in 2007 before one prolific season with Airdrie - 26 goals in 43 games - saw him win the Player of the Year award in the Second Division and earn a move to Kilmarnock.

Russell had two years at Rugby Park until 2010 when he moved to the US and played for Carolina RailHawks and Orange County Blues for four years until 2016.

Now, having retired, his career is in ascendancy. On his website, Russell explains he uses 'intricate statistics combined with detailed match and training analysis to strategise a complete striker training programme'.

Asked by Sky Sports about his work, Russell said: 'I assess them (strikers).. As soon as they come in, I know what's wrong with the body mechanics, if their balance is right, if their technique is good enough.

'Is their standing foot far enough forward when they strike the ball? Are they connecting with the right part of the ball? How are they rotating their hips?'

It seems to be like a golf coach working on a swing - and it certainly impressed Southgate enough to bring him on board.

Perhaps one area he didn't mention, however, was penalties. But if the world's No 1 individual striker coach can't help you find the net from 12 yards, surely no one can?